It’s pretty hard getting a trip going with Peony Knight and Lucy Campbell as they’re rather busy ladies. Their lives a whirlwind of chasing the QS comps where they can, other opportunities when possible and in-between commitments they love to be doing what they enjoy the most: sliding around in the sea and catching up with family and friends.
Thankfully top Brit coach Joel Gray managed to entice them into a quick mission to Portugal in November, and we tagged along.
What’s not to like about the land of pastel de natas? Waves from one foot to a hundred breaking in plenty of nooks and crannies. Weapons-grade coffees, crazy good seafood and a laidback vibe best enjoyed under a delightfully warm winter sun.
The only issue was the weather was being its chaotic self. While the UK regretted building all over its long-dormant flood plains, it was non-stop northerlies, brutal rain showers and giant waves down the left side of the Iberian peninsula.
Portugal is built for bad forecasts, and even a 30-foot swell that had the Nazare types buzzing and constant biblical downpours didn’t stop us surfing a couple of times every day.
Along for the ride with our top tier rippers, Pea and Lucy were groms Tegan Blackford and Bonita Whitelock. There to soak up the wisdom of their elders and to work on subtle technique improvements with coach Gray. That and bring the froth and suffer the most restrained form of grom torture: washing up.
Before the short late afternoon hop from Bristol airport to Lisbon the groms and Joel hit the Wave at Bristol, a concept sure to be popular with anyone getting an afternoon flight from that joint. Verdict: fun AF but hell cold. It’s going to get right parky come February in the pool of dreams. Best bring your best boots and gloves. And maybe one of those brazier things that New York hobos always have in the movies.
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2020 Wetsuit Guide
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CEYLON STORIES
SERENDIPIDITY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
ENGLISH NATIONALS
TOLCARNE TAILSPINS IN THE LAST COMP FOR A WHILE . . . MAYBE
THE ST VALENTINE 'S DAY MASSACRE
ROB MILES AND CALLUM DAVID THOMAS MIX IT UP WITH THE WORLD’S BEST AT ALL TIME SAFI.
BARBADOS
FAMILY FRIENDLY SURF TRIPPING TIPS
GENE GENIE
FROM PAIGNTON THROUGH VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS WITH A SOJOURN IN THE SCOTTISH ISLES EUGENE TOLLEMACHE NOW CALLS INDO HOME AND IS LOVING LIFE
*OCCIDENTAL DRIFT
THE BLEEDING EDGE OF SURF EXPLORATION IS A HOT, INHOSPITABLE PLACE. BUT WORTH THE MISSION.
TASMANIA ART CLUB
BRENDON GIBBENS AND DION AGIUS EXPLORE THE LITTLE CHUNK HANGING OFF THE BOTTOM OF AUSTRALIA AND GET CREATIVE
Mr Smith
THE GENIAL ED SMITH IS ONE OF THOSE SURFERS THAT HAS A TON OF ABILITY AND TOYED WITH THE COMP SCENE BUT SOON REALISED A REAL TRADE AND SURFING FOR HIMSELF WAS A WISER OPTION. WE BUMPED INTO HIM ON OUR MISSION TO SCOTLAND, AND HE WAS KILLING IT EVERY SESSION. SUPER STYLISH, ALWAYS DEEP, A PLEASURE TO SHOOT. HE 'S A GOOD BLOKE TO GO FOR A PINT WITH TOO.
SETH MOZ
SETH MORRIS IS A YOUNG PRO FROM A QUIET PART OF WALES. HE JOINED US ON OUR WINTER MISSION TO PORTUGAL, WHERE HE IMPRESSED ALL WITH HIS STYLISH ATTACK. READ ON FOR A PEEK INSIDE HIS HEAD.
